Teenagers at a youth club in Netherfield have been cooking up a series of healthy snacks and meals following a food donation from the town Co-op.
Netherfield Youth Club is a much-loved group for teenagers, which meets weekly at the town’s Loco Centre.
Club leaders say the pandemic has meant that lots of families are struggling in the town, with many people losing jobs and an unprecedented rise in the use of food banks.
They say groups like Netherfield Youth Club have never been more important to boost morale, reduce isolation and improve the mental health of teenagers.
Growing teenagers are renowned for being hungry and Netherfield Co-op has been providing welcome snacks for the youth club to have at their meetings.
Fresh ingredients to cook wholesome meals have also been donated.
One of the teenagers said: “Having a barbeque in the park today felt like I was on holiday.”
When the manager of Netherfield Co-op, Stuart Thomas, heard about Netherfield Youth Club at the Co-op run Gedling and Netherfield Forum, facilitated by Alison Marsh, he was only too happy to help.
Stuart said: “The Co-op is delighted to help Netherfield Youth Club through our Community Fund, and it’s our pleasure to make a real difference to local families.”
Andy Foulds, the group’s leader from Nottingham County Council, who has run the group since 2018, has noticed a rise in the number of families who are having difficulties.
He said, “I think that making a meal where our young people choose the recipe, cook it, and sit down at a table to eat together, is a really beneficial experience for all concerned.
“We’re very grateful to the Co-op for their food donations.”
